USAFRICOM response force keeps skills sharp

Members of the U.S. Africa Command’s North and West Africa Response Force conducted a series of crisis response training exercises in multiple locations throughout Italy, Feb. 16-20.


Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines of the NARF routinely conduct crisis and contingency response exercises both in Europe and Africa, improving joint operational capability across a variety of mission sets
By Maj. Cain Claxton Southern European Task Force Africa Vicenza, Italy Feb 22, 2022
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 3 images

VICENZA, Italy -- Members of the U.S. Africa Command’s North and West Africa Response Force conducted a series of crisis response training exercises in multiple locations throughout Italy, Feb. 16-20.

Soldiers of the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) and U.S. Army Southern European Task Force-Africa joined with U.S. Marines from Naval Air Station Sigonella, and U.S. Airmen from Aviano to improve crisis response capabilities.

The NARF supports USAFRICOM requirement to respond to crises and contingencies on a moment's notice in North and West Africa. Regular exercises ensure the joint team's capability to marshal and deploy with a scalable force package in support of U.S. persons, facilities and interests in Africa.

The training included water survival drills in Vicenza; air load and transit operations in Aviano and in Sicily with Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps air assets.

Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines of the NARF routinely conduct crisis and contingency response exercises both in Europe and Africa, improving joint operational capability across a variety of mission sets.

More in Readiness
New Hampshire National Guard teams with Morocco for sling load training at African Lion 2025
TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for a sling load exercise, May 17, 2025, at Tan Tan, Morocco, during African Lion 25.
Read more
Veterinary professionals work with local animals in Ghana during MEDREXAfrica during African Lion 2025
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hope Cruse, an animal care specialist, and U.S. Army Capt. Kylie Smith, a veterinarian, both assigned to Public Health Command Europe, joined medical and dental specialists from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the 48th Medical Group, 48th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa in Ghana to conduct a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) as part of African Lion 2025 (AL25).
Read more
Army Reserve medical logistics NCO ensures critical blood supply at African Lion 2025
AGADIR, Morocco — In the sweltering heat of North Africa, with lives potentially hanging in the balance, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christa Glass faced a critical challenge—a compromised blood shipment that threatened the medical readiness of U.S. forces.
Read more
More in Readiness
New Hampshire National Guard teams with Morocco for sling load training at African Lion 2025
TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for a sling load exercise, May 17, 2025, at Tan Tan, Morocco, during African Lion 25.
Read more
Veterinary professionals work with local animals in Ghana during MEDREXAfrica during African Lion 2025
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hope Cruse, an animal care specialist, and U.S. Army Capt. Kylie Smith, a veterinarian, both assigned to Public Health Command Europe, joined medical and dental specialists from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the 48th Medical Group, 48th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa in Ghana to conduct a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) as part of African Lion 2025 (AL25).
Read more
Army Reserve medical logistics NCO ensures critical blood supply at African Lion 2025
AGADIR, Morocco — In the sweltering heat of North Africa, with lives potentially hanging in the balance, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christa Glass faced a critical challenge—a compromised blood shipment that threatened the medical readiness of U.S. forces.
Read more
More in Readiness
New Hampshire National Guard teams with Morocco for sling load training at African Lion 2025
TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for a sling load exercise, May 17, 2025, at Tan Tan, Morocco, during African Lion 25.
Read more
Veterinary professionals work with local animals in Ghana during MEDREXAfrica during African Lion 2025
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hope Cruse, an animal care specialist, and U.S. Army Capt. Kylie Smith, a veterinarian, both assigned to Public Health Command Europe, joined medical and dental specialists from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the 48th Medical Group, 48th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa in Ghana to conduct a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) as part of African Lion 2025 (AL25).
Read more
Army Reserve medical logistics NCO ensures critical blood supply at African Lion 2025
AGADIR, Morocco — In the sweltering heat of North Africa, with lives potentially hanging in the balance, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christa Glass faced a critical challenge—a compromised blood shipment that threatened the medical readiness of U.S. forces.
Read more